Hair drier



Sept. 16, 1930. E. F. SUTER 1,775,704

v HAIR DRIER Filed Jan. 2, 1929 ZSheets-Sheet 1 S ATTQRNEYS Sept. 1-6, 1930. E; F. su -:R 7 ,7 4

- HAIR DRIER v I Filed Jan. 2, 1929 2 Sheds-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 50am: F. sun-W.

W k/ v HIS ATTORNEYS 45 desired position.

60 preferred form of the present invention,

Patented Sept. 16, 1930 UNITED STATES :PA'TENT OFFICE EUGENE rmgors surEn, or NEW YORK, N. Y., assrdn'on 'ro EUGENE rn, Aconromrron 01 NEW YORK Hera mama Application .filed January 2, 1929, Serial-No. 329,734, and in Great Britain November 80, 1928.

1 cation of the apparatus 'disclosed in my prior United States applications Serial No. 163,838, filed January 26, 1927, and- Serial No. 207,852, filed July 23, 1927.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a hair drying apparatus ofthe helmet type adapted to effect.

the drying of the hair rapidly and without discomfort to the person undergoing treat-- ment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a double-walled helmet adapted to be' with the space between the persons head and 'the helmet whereby the stream of air flow ing through the apparatus may be circulated by a forced draft or by a partial-vacuum, as preferred.

A further object is to provide a helmet having an orifice at its periphery adjacent the margin of the hair and adapted to impinge a stream of air on the hair.

' Another object is to provide resilient 85 means for supporting the head in the helmet in spaced relation thereto.

- A still further object of the invention is to provide the helmet with an adjustable'front portion whereby the front margin may; be v 40 adapted to varlous sizes or annular outlets of various designs may be attached to the helmet. a j

Another object is to provide adjustable means for supporting the apparatus in any Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.

In general, the apparatus embodying a com- 1 l l l .of the helmet prises a casing orohe'lmet having .inner and outer walls in spaced relation to one another and adapted to be placed over the head on which the hair is to be dried, so that a space is left between the inner wall of the helmet and the head 'of the person. Ducts or conduits communicating with the space between the inner and outer walls of the helmet conveyheated air to the helmet. The periphery of the helmet constitutes an orifice adjacent the margin of the hair to be dried and is adapted to direct astream of heated air on the hair. and through the space between the'head and the inner wall An outlet duct or conduit communicating'with this space is positioned adjacent the nape of the persons neck and conveys the moisture laden airout from the interior of the apparatus. In the lower half of the helmet a resilient pad is provided to vsupportithe head of the helmet so as to leave a space through which the drying medium may flow, as described above. forward part of the helmet is made removable so that it may be replaced by front pieces of various sizes and designs, as desired, and each of the front pieces is preferably provided with a flexible closure, such as, for example, a rubber strip extending from the front piece to the persons head and adapted to prevent the escape-of air through the front part of the apparatus. The helmet is mounted upon a suitable'standard which is preferabl made adjustable so that the helmet may e readily positioned over aper- The sons head when the person is in the various upright and reclining positions.

In order to understand the invention fully reference may be had to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which, v

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the ap-' paratus showing itin position over a persons head;

Fig. 2 is a ri ratus shown in ig. 1'; and r Fig. 3 is a front view of the apparatus- In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is illustrated'a double-walled,

ht side view of the appa-- dome-like helmet which is adapted to be laced over the head of the person whose hair 1s to bedried so as to leave a space between the head and the helmet through which the 5 drying medium, preferably heated air, can circulate freely. This helmet comprises an outer wall 1 and an inner wall 2 held in spaced relation by the staybolts 3, distributed over the area of the helmet so that the heated air ma flow therebetween as hereinafter describecz The helmet is preferably made of suflicient size to accommodate, without inconvenience to the ment, heads ofvarious sizes and shapes and is adapted to encompass. that portion of the human headwhich is ordinarily covered with hair.' The helmet is ordinarily placed over the persons head so that it does not cover any substantial part of the face.

' go The periphery of the helmet constitutes an annular orifice 4 adjacent the margin of the hair which is so located as to cause the heated --air flowing therethrough to flow toward the hair and in a rearward direction. As shown 5' in Fig. 1 the periphery of the helmet is bent inwardly and rearwardly so as to position the orifice 4 as described above. While the orifice 4 .is preferably continuous around the periphe of the helmet, it obviously may be made discontinuous at any point, if it should be so desired. In order that the helmet may better accominodate heads of various sizes and shapes, the front part 5 of the helmet may be made ad- 'ustable so that the front portion thereof may e adapted toassume suitable sizes and shapes asrequired and is preferably detachable. To hold the front piece 5 in position, itis provided at its rear peri hery with an exterior lar flange 7 on the main part of the helmet. A convenient number of substantially U- shaped sprin clips 8 are placed over the flanges6 and% as lllustrated'to hold the two parts of the helmet together. A closure 9 of suitable flexible material, such as, for exdry the hair is accomplished by the flow of air through ducts or pipes which'communicate with the space between the 'walls l and 2 of the helmet and with the space between the from the description. of the ducts hereinafter 'ven that the circulation of the drying air ,nect adjacent springs together and connect t rough 'the-apfparatus may be accomplished by means of a orced draft or a partial vacu 06 um, as desired, but for convenience merely, theersons undergoing treatannulai flange 6whic abutsagainst a simi-- head and the helmet. It will be appreciated description is confined to a forced draft. Heated air is supplied to the space between the Walls 1 and 2 of the helmet by means of the ducts or pipes 11 and 12 which communicate with this space at two spaced points in the upper and lower parts of the helmet respectively. It will, of course, be understoo that various other arrangements of these ducts. may be employed, and if desirable a single duct suitably positioned may be used, but the arrangement shown is deemed preferable. The inlet ducts 11 and 12 are branches of a single duct or pipe 13 to which is clamped a flexible hose'l4 which ermits easy. movement of the apparatus without the necessity of any adjustment in the'inlet piping system. Dampers l5 and 16 provided with handles 17 and 18 are located in the ducts 11 and 12, respectively, to permit regulation of the inflowing heated air to the upper and lower portions of the helmet. The flexible supply pipe 14 is connected to a suitable supply of heated air which may be obtained by causing air to circulate through electrical heating coils, or it may be obtained by other means well known in the art.

The heated air flows through the space between the walls 1. and 2 of the helmet, through the orifice 4, as described above, and

into the space between the head and the heI-' met where it comes into contact with the hair to dry the same by the absorption of water therefrom. The moisture-laden air is withdrawn from the space through this outlet duct or pipe 19 which is also clamped to a flexible hose 20. The outlet duct 19 is referably located in the lower part of the 'elmet adjacent the nape of the. neck, as illustrated, but obviously it may, if deemed desirable, be placed elsewhere. The space between the head and the helmet is .of substantial width as shown in Fig. 1 and being practically obstructed, permits rapid circulation of the drying air through the apparatus. It will be observed that withthe present apparatus all of the hair is dried rapidly and efiiciently Withoutdiscomfiture to the person and with but one setting of the apparatus on the persons head.

Resilient means are employed to support the persons head within the helmet and in spaced relation to the inner wall 2 thereof.

-These means may, and preferably do, com -pr1se aplu'rality of helical springs 21 contactin at one end with the inner. wall 2 and provi ed at the other end with suitable 'pads 22 on which,the persons head rests and are arranged in rows and columns on the lower part of the helmet as shown in the drawings. The springs 21 areheld'in position relative to one another by the chains 23 which con- As this arrangement does not interfere Wlth' the circulation of the drying air through the apparatus the use of the escribedpads is 1 preferred.

The head of the personundergoing treat-- ment is generally placedin a position which is most convenient for the operator of the apparatus. and not discomfitting tothe person. Consequently the means for the sup porting apparatus must be capable of adjust ment to accommodate the persons head when the person is in various upright and reclining positions. Such adjustment of the present apparatus is accompanied by virtue of the, followingconstruction. The helmet is supported in a substantially u-shaped bracket 24 which is mounted onthe" upper end of a rod 25, preferably longitudinally slidable and rotatable in a suitable standard which is readily portable about the place where the apparatus is to be employed. The helmet is free to rotate in the bracket 24 on the trunnions 26 which are located at the upper ends of the bracket and extend into bearing members 27 and 28 secured to the helmet by the screws '29. The bearing member 27 is substantially segmental in form and at its outer margin is provided with an arcuate series of elongated projections 30-extending above the surface of the member 27 as more clearly shown in Fig. 2 and having therebetween the spaces 31 which are of a convenient width. The center of this series of projections co- :incides with the center line of the trunnions 26. The side of the bracket 24 adjacent this bearing member has an elongated slot .32 therein in which a pin 33 having a handle 34 is adapted to slide. The inner end of the in 33 is adapted to engage in the spaces 31 tween the rojections 30 when it is in the lower part 0? the bracket slot 32 and when raised to the upper part of the slot 32 'it is clear of the projections 30 thus permitting the helmet to be moved angularly with respect to the bracket 24. It .will be apparent from' this description that -the position of thehelmet may be varied within limits and securely held in place when so position.

Having 'thusillustrated and described this specific embodiment of my invention, I do '50 not wish tobe understood as'being limited to the details set forth for the construction 7 and arrangementof parts may be'altered as -the occasion requires or the. construction of the apparatus may be otherwise modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

J What is claimed and desired to be pro tected'by Letters Patent a encompass the head in close proximity to the. scalp and the hair to be dried, the periphery 1 1. Hair drying apparatus com a substantially continuous casing-a apte "to of said casing approximately conforming to the shape of a head about the faeeand ne'cli,

the margin thereof being provided with an orifice directed toward the rearward rtion of said casing and a supply conduit connected with said orifice.

helmet adapted to encompass the head in close proximity to the hair to be dried, the periphery of said helmet comprising a rear wardly directed annular orifice ap roximately conforming to the shape of a ead adjacent the margin of the scalp and the hair to j be dried,and a conduit communicating with said marginal orifice.

3. Hair drying apparatus comprising a :helmetadapted to encompass the head in close proximity to the hair to be dried and comprising double-walls havin air spaces therebetween, a conduit communicating with thespace between said double walls, the periphery of said helmet approximately conforming to the shape of a head'aboutthe face 2. Hair drying apparatus comprising a and neck comprising a rearwardly directed tachable portion, the front periphery of said portion constituting an orifice adjacent the margin of the hair to be dried.

5. Hair drying apparatus comprising a double-walled helmet adapted to encompass the head in close proximity to the hair to be dried, conduits communicatin with the space between said double walls an with the s ace between the head and said helmet, the periphery of said helmet constituting an annular orifice adjacent the margin of the hair to be dried, means for supporting the head in said hehnet in spaced relation thereto, a bracket adapted to support said helmet and means associated with said bracket whereb to said bracket.

"6. Hair dryin apparatus comprising a double-walled he met adapted to encompass the head in close'proximity to the .hair to be dried, conduits communicating with thespace' between said double walls and with the space between the head and said helmet, the front "part of said helmet com rising an annular detachable portion; the

, nt periphery of said portion constituting an orifice adjacent the margin of the hair to be dried and means for supporting the head in said spaced relation thereto.

7 Hair drying apparatus comprising a double-walled hehnet adapted to encompas the head in close proximity to the hair to be said helmet may be adjusted angularly with respect helmet in dried, conduits communicating with the space between said double walls and with the space between the head and said helmet, the front part of said helmet comprising an annular member detachably connected thereto, the front periphery of said annular member constituting an orifice adjacent the margin of thehair to be dried, means for supporting the head in said helmet in spaced relation thereto, a bracket adapted to support said helmet and means associated with said bracket whereby said helmet may be adjusted angularly with respect to said bracket.

9. Hair drying apparatus comprising a double walled'hclmet adapted to encompass the head in close proximity to the hair to be dried, conduits communicating with the space between said double walls and with the space between the head and said helmet, the periphery of said helmet constituting an annular orifice adjacent the margin of the hair to be dried and resilient means for supporting the head in said helmet in spaced relation thereto, said means comprising a plurality of helical springs located on the lower interior surface of the helmet and pads mounted thereon on which the head rests.

10. Hair drying apparatus comprising a double-walled helmet adapted to encompass the head in close proximity to the scalp and the hair to be dried, conduits communicating with the space between said double walls and with the space between the head and said helmet, the periphery of said helmetconstituting an annular orifice adjacent the margin of the hair to be dried, a bracket adapted to support said helmet, a resilient device in said helmet for sup orting the head in combination with said bracket, said device comprising spring supporting means and means carriedupon saidspring supporting means and adapted to form a rest for the head.

11 Hair drying apparatus comprising a double walled helmet adapted to encompass the head in close proximity to the hair to be dried, conduits communicating with the space between said double walls and with the space between the head and said helmet, the front'part of said helmet comprising an annular member detachably connected thereto, the front periphery of said annular member being curved inwardly of the head and rearwardly and constituting an orifice adjacent themargin of the hair to be dried and which is adapted to direct a stream of air through ,the space between the head and said helmet.

12. Hair drying apparatus comprising a double-walled helmet adapted to encompass the head in close proximity to the hair to be dried, conduits communicating with the space between said double walls and with the space between the head and said helmet, the eriphery of said helmet constituting an annular orifice adjacent the margin of the hair to be dried, resilient means for supporting the head in said helmet in spaced relation thereto, said means comprising a plurality of helical springs located on the lower interior surface of the helmet and pads mounted thereon on which the head rests, a bracket adapted to support said helmet, a segmental member attache to said helmet adjacent the upper end of said bracket, said member being provided with a series of projections with spaces therebetween and a pin slidable in a slot in said bracket and adapted to engage said member in said spaces whereby said helmet may be adjusted angularly with respect to said bracket.

13. Hair drying apparatus comprising a double-walled helmet adapted to encompass the head in close proximity to the hair to be dried, conduits communicating with the space between said double walls and with the space between the head and said helmet, the front part of said helmet comprising an an nular member detach'ably connected thereto, the front periphery of said annular member being curved inwardly of the head and rear wardly and constituting an orifice adjacent the marginof the hair to be dried and which is adapted to direct a stream of air through the space between the head and said helmet and resilient means'for supporting the head in said helmet in spaced relation thereto, said means comprising a plurality of helical springs located on the lower interior surface of the helmet and pads mounted thereon on which the head rests.

14. Hair drying apparatus comprising a double-walled helmet adapted to encompass the head in close proximity to the hair to be dried, conduits communicating with the space between said double walls andwith the space between the head and said helmet, the front part of said helmet comprising an annular member detachably carried thereto, the periphery of said annular member being curved inwardly of the head and rearwardly and constituting an orifice adjacent the margin of the hair to be dried and which is adapted to direct a stream of air through the space between the head and said helmet, a bracket adapted to support saidhelmet, a segmental member attached to said helmet adjacent the upper end of said bracket, said me'mberbej ing provided with a series of projections with spaces therebetween and a pin slidable in a slot in said bracket and adapted to engage said member in said spaces whereby said helmet may be adjusted angularly with respect to said bracket.

15. Hair drying apparatus comprising a double-wa-lled-helmet adapted to encompass the head in close proximity to the hair to be dried, conduits communicating with the space between said double walls and with the space between the head and said helmet, the front part of saidh'elmet comprising an annular member detachably carried there by, the front periphery of said annular member being curved inwardly of 'the head and rearwardly and constituting an orifice ad-' jacent the margin of the hair to be dried and which is adapted to direct a stream of air through the space between the head and said helmet and resilient means for supporting the head in said helmet inspaced relation thereto said means comprising a plurality of helical springs located on the lower interiorv surface of the helmet and pads mounted thereon on which the head rests,

. a bracket adapted to support said helmet, a

se'gmentalmember attached to said helmet adjacent the upper end of said bracket, said member being provided with a-serics of projections with spaces therebetween and a pin slidable in a slot in said bracket and adapted to engage said member n said spaces whereby said helmetmay be adjusted angularlywith respect to said bracket.

16. Hair drying apparatus comprising a double-walled helmet adapted to encompass the head in'close proximity to the hair to be dried, conduits communicating with the spacebetween said double walls andwith the space between the head and said helmet, the front part of said helmet comprising memberconstituting an orifice adjacent the margin of the hair to be dried, means for supporting the head in said helmet in spaced relation thereto, a bracket adapted to support said helmet, a segmental member at tached to said helmet adjacent the upper end of saidbracket, said member being provided with a series of projections with spaces therebetween and a pin slidable in a slot in said bracket and adapted to engage said member in said spaces whereby said helmet maybe adjusted angularly with respect to said bracket.

18. Hair drying apparatus comprising a double-walled helmet adapted to encompass the head in close proximity to the hair to be dried, conduits communicating with the space between said double walls and with the space between the ead and said helmet, the front part of said helmet comprising. an annular member detachably connected thereto, the front periphery of said annular memberbeing curved inwardly of the head and rearwardly and constituting an orificev adjacent the marginof the hair to be dried and which is adapted to directa streamof air through the space between the head and said helmet, means for supporting the headin said helmet in spaced relation thereto, a

' signature hereto.

v EUGENE FRANQOIS SUTER an annular member, detachably connected thereto, the front periphery of said: annular A member constituting an orifice adjacent the margin of the hair to be dried, resilient means for supporting the head in said helmetin spaced relation'thereto, said means comprising a plurality of helical springs located on thelower surface of the helmet and pads mounted thereon on which the head rests, a bracket adapted to support said helmet' and means associated with said bracket whereb said helmet'may be adjusted angu larly with respectto said bracket 1 Y 17. Hair drying apparatus comprising a double-walledhelmet adapted to encompass the head'in close proximity to the hair to be dried, conduits communicating with the space between said double walls andwith the s ace betweenthehead and said helmet,

' the ront part of said helmet comprising an annular member detachably connected thereto, the front per 'iphery of said annular 

